Apply for a Business License

Business License How To....

Location: City of South Tucson City Hall, 1601 S. 6th Avenue, South Tucson, AZ 85713

License - customer service center email: costadmincoordinator [at] southtucson.org (costadmincoordinator[at]southtucsonaz[dot]gov)

License - customer service center phone: (520) 792-2424 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mailing Address: City of South Tucson, 1601 S. 6th Avenue, South Tucson, AZ 85713

Starting a New Business in The City of South Tucson?

Tax licenses for all cities and towns in Arizona are administered by the Arizona Department of Revenue.
https://azdor.gov/business

For City Sales Tax information / rates, click here.

The City of South Tucson does require business licenses for businesses operating in South Tucson. There is more information, and forms, below.

For Businesses Located within the City of South Tucson City Limits

Please click here for Business License Application Requirements and Instructions

Business License Process for the City of South Tucson

Complete the Application – Fill out the city’s Business License Application form with your business information.
Submit Required Documents – Provide any required documents, such as identification, ownership information, or state registration if applicable.
Pay the Fee – Pay the required business license fee when submitting your application.
City Review – The city will review your application and may contact you if additional information is needed.
Receive Your License – Once approved, your business license will be issued and you may begin operating.

Note: Businesses must notify the city in writing if the business closes, changes ownership, or changes its name within 10 days of the change (City Code § 11-34).

Downloadable Business License Application Form

Download this PDF to fill out manually and submit to customer service center email: costadmincoordinator [at] southtucson.org (costadmincoordinator[at]southtucsonaz[dot]gov). You may also mail to the mailing address above, or, if you are here in South Tucson, you may come down in person to the City of South Tucson City Hall, at 1601 S. 6th Avenue. Please note that this form is not fillable at this time.

For applicable business and occupational license fees and billing schedule, please click here. The City does not prorate the occupational license fees.

Applying for a Temporary Business License?

Temporary Business License Instructions

If applying for a temporary business license:

Check the “Temporary” box located at the top left corner of the City business license application.
Provide the start and stop dates of the project or work for which the temporary license is requested.

Note: The City will only issue a temporary license for the specific dates listed. Any business activity outside of these dates requires a full business license.

You may also need a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, which is administered by the Arizona Department of Revenue. You can apply for it through the Arizona Department of Revenue's website. Sole Proprietorships (ONLY), must attach a photocopy showing both side of your identification. Please note that this applies to all “individual” licenses and not entities such as Corporation and LLC’s. Once the form is filled out, submit to customer service center email: costadmincoordinator [at] southtucson.org (costadmincoordinator[at]southtucsonaz[dot]gov).

For applicable business and occupational license fees and billing schedule, please click here. The City does not prorate the occupational license fees.

Downloadable Business License Application

Business License & Occupational License Fees

Business License Fee

Fee: $40.00

Billing Frequency: Businesses are billed annually (Jan)

Is a new license / certificate issued every year? No. The initial business license certificate that is issued specifically states that it is "valid until revoked" (for cause as per City Code).

What is this fee for? This fee is actually an application fee for the issuance or renewal of a business license. Because business license certificates are not re-issued, payment of the application / renewal fee (along with occupational fees) ensures the business is up to date and in good standing for the current year.

Occupational License Fees

Fee: Rates vary by business activity (click on link above for list of rates)

Billing Frequency: Businesses are billed quarterly (Jan/Apr/Jun/Jul)

Is a separate license / certificate issue? No certificate is issued

What is this fee for? This fee tends to apply to "service" type businesses for the privilege of operating within city limits. This fee also applies to non-residential rental activity.

The City of South Tucson requires certain businesses to obtain an occupational license in addition to a standard business license. Please refer to the applicable City Code provisions to determine whether your business activities are subject to this requirement and to understand the specific licensing obligations.

Buying a Business - Important Information Before Applying

A person buying a business is liable for unpaid taxes and/or fees of the seller's business. Before purchasing any business, the buyer should require the seller to provide a “Letter of Good Standing” issued by the City of South Tucson's Finance Office (520) 792-2424. This document states there are no fees outstanding as of the date of issuance.

Additionally, if the business has a liquor license, the buyer needs to contact the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control at (602) 542-5141 for unpaid taxes or to determine if a liquor complaint has been filed.

Please note that the City of South Tucson is located within the City of Tucson. If you are unsure whether or not your business location (or project location for prime contractors) is inside our city limits, please consult the Pima County Assessor's website or contact the License - Customer Service Center for confirmation.

Close Your Business License Account

To officially notify the City of South Tucson that your business is closing, please complete the “NOTICE OF CHANGE” PDF form. You can access the form by clicking here.
Once the form is filled out, submit to customer service center email: costadmincoordinator [at] southtucson.org (costadmincoordinator[at]southtucsonaz[dot]gov).

Businesses with an occupational license must notify the city in writing if the business closes, changes ownership, or changes its name. Notice must be provided before the change or within 10 days after it occurs.
—City Code § 11-34.

Change of Address

To update your business contact information with the City of South Tucson, please complete the “NOTICE OF CHANGE” PDF form. You can access the form by clicking here.
Once the form is filled out, submit to customer service center email: costadmincoordinator [at] southtucson.org (costadmincoordinator[at]southtucsonaz[dot]gov).

Frequently Asked Questions

📌 Business License Requirements – South Tucson, AZ

Get a City Business License — You must have a license from the City of South Tucson before you start operating any business within city limits. It’s illegal to operate without one.
Fill Out the Official Application — Complete the business license application form with your business details.
Provide ID for Sole Proprietors — If you’re a sole proprietor (individual), you must attach a copy of your government ID with the application (per state eligibility law).
Submit Any Required Plans — If your business has a physical location, you may need site and floor plans for zoning and inspection review.
Pay the Fees — There’s an application/business license fee (e.g., around $40) and any applicable occupational fees.
Zoning/Planning Clearances — Some businesses (like home-based ones) also need zoning approval before getting a license.

✔️ Once approved and any inspections are done, the city issues your business license.

🧰 Additional Requirements for Contractors

If you’re a contractor, you need all of the above PLUS:

🔹 State Contractor License (Arizona ROC) — You must be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors in the correct classification to do contracting work.

🔹 City Business License Still Required — South Tucson still requires your city license even if you have a state contractor license.

🔹 Construction Permits & Plans — Before doing work, you may need permits from the city and proper construction plans.

🔹 Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License — If your contracting work is taxable (like general contracting), you may need a TPT license from the Arizona Department of Revenue.

🍽️ Restaurant Business License – South Tucson Requirements

✅ 1. City Business License

You must get a City of South Tucson business license before you open. It’s illegal to operate without one.

📝 2. Complete & Submit the Application

Fill out the city’s business license application form with your restaurant’s info.

💳 3. Pay Fees

There’s an application fee (about $40) and possibly occupational license fees depending on your business type.

🪪 4. Provide ID / Eligibility

If you’re a sole proprietor, attach a copy of your photo ID to meet state eligibility requirements.

📍 5. Zoning / Location Approval

If your restaurant has a physical location, you may need site and floor plans reviewed and approved by the city’s Planning & Zoning Department and building inspector before the license issues.

🧯 6. Health & Safety Permits

Separate from the city business license, restaurants must obtain health permits from the Pima County Health Department to serve food (this is not issued by the city code itself, but it’s required to legally operate).

💰 7. Transaction Privilege (Sales) Tax

If you sell food or beverages, you’ll need a TPT (sales tax) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR).

🍺 8. Liquor License (If Applicable)

If you plan to sell alcohol, you must obtain the appropriate liquor license from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (rules/fees are separate). This isn’t done through the city business license application but is required before alcohol sales. (General state requirement)

📌 TPT License Requirement – City of South Tucson

Per City of South Tucson Code (Chapter 11 – Licenses & Taxation, Ordinance 16‑02):

“Every person engaging in business activity within the City for which a transaction privilege tax is imposed shall obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license through the Arizona Department of Revenue prior to engaging in such business activity. The City of South Tucson requires that a copy of the TPT license, listing South Tucson under the jurisdiction, be submitted to the City prior to issuance of a City business license.”

Simple Summary:

Any business doing taxable sales must get a TPT license from ADOR.
Submit a copy of the TPT license showing South Tucson as the jurisdiction to the city.
The City business license will not be issued until the TPT copy is on file.

Email: costadmincoordinator [at] southtucsonaz.gov (costadmincoordinator[at]southtucsonaz[dot]gov)

Contact our office at (520) 792-2424.

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